Navigating challenges in applied animal behaviour and welfare research: A focus group study

Academics in applied animal behaviour and welfare science may face challenges while working within the constraints imposed by institutional and regulatory frameworks. However, to our knowledge, no studies have attempted to describe the nature of these difficulties and whether there are regional differences. This database contains the supplementary materials of a focus group study with 47 delegates attending the 56th Congress of the International Society of Applied Ethology (ISAE) held in Tallinn, Estonia, in August 2023. Participants represented 33 countries covering five continents. Using a semi-structured discussion guide, participants were encouraged to discuss their challenges, proposed solutions to the identified challenges, and the role international societies could play in overcoming some of these challenges. All focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed and subjected to thematic analyses. Three main themes were identified: (1) the discipline of animal behaviour and welfare, (2) conducting and sharing research, and (3) researcher welfare and networking. Participants described numerous barriers hindering their research process, originating from within their academic institutions, local governments, and journal guidelines but also arising from prejudice and other personal challenges. Many of the challenges identified were shared among all participants, regardless of region, but specific socio-demographic groups more strongly voiced some issues. While solutions were difficult to identify, many participants communicated their willingness to collaborate as a first step to striving for solutions to the identified challenges.